Mater Dei announces tuition freeze

SANTA ANA Mater Dei administrators announced this week a freeze on tuition for the 2009-10 school year.

Because of the bad economy, tuition at the Catholic school will remain at the current year's level of $9,725 for Catholic students and $10,950 for non-Catholic students, officials said.

"In light of the current economic conditions, we hope that the freeze in tuition offers relief from added financial burdens to families attending or planning to attend our school," said Patrick Murphy, the school's president.

Mater Dei, the county's largest private school with more than 2,300 students, has raised yearly tuition by an average of $733 over the past few years, said Pamela Cole, the school's spokesperson.

At less than $11,000 per year, Mater Dei's tuition is still below many private schools in Southern California, officials said. Mater Dei will not cut programs or services and will continue to offer financial-aid for families who need it, officials said.

Administrators said they've received scores of messages from families expressing gratitude for freezing tuition next year.

"Families of every economic level have been affected by the financial crisis," said Xiomara Galindo, president of Mater Dei's Parents Association. "We appreciate the school administration for its decision to freeze tuition out of great consideration and sensitivity to what all families are going through."

Murphy said the school will continue to look for private donations, foundation grants, corporate gifts to provide financial aid and offer other services to the community.

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